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BMW X5 vs Volvo XC90: reliability compared

From 2006 to 2025, owners filed an average of 131 complaints per model year about the BMW X5 and 40 about the Volvo XC90.

Side by side

BMW X5Volvo XC90
Model years compared2006-20252006-2025
Owner complaints2,614768
Complaints per model year13140
Recalls7930
Years to avoid2011201220162017
Best years200720182022200820202022
Most common problemEngineElectrical
Crash rating4 2025No data
Fuel economy15-25 mpg combined (2025)23-27 mpg combined (2025)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2006 BMW X5: 1692006 Volvo XC90: 5320062007 BMW X5: 712007 Volvo XC90: 382008 BMW X5: 2152008 Volvo XC90: 2920082009 BMW X5: 1382009 Volvo XC90: 72010 BMW X5: 1242010 Volvo XC90: 1220102011 BMW X5: 2652011 Volvo XC90: 192012 BMW X5: 2712012 Volvo XC90: 320122013 BMW X5: 1492013 Volvo XC90: 112014 BMW X5: 992014 Volvo XC90: 420142015 BMW X5: 1522016 BMW X5: 742016 Volvo XC90: 19720162017 BMW X5: 762017 Volvo XC90: 822018 BMW X5: 732018 Volvo XC90: 5220182019 BMW X5: 1952019 Volvo XC90: 422020 BMW X5: 1142020 Volvo XC90: 3520202021 BMW X5: 1142021 Volvo XC90: 422022 BMW X5: 732022 Volvo XC90: 3120222023 BMW X5: 342023 Volvo XC90: 412024 BMW X5: 1452024 Volvo XC90: 3820242025 BMW X5: 632025 Volvo XC90: 32
BMW X5Volvo XC90

Problems compared

X5XC90
Engine780193
Airbags52632
Electrical462227
Fuel system38073
Transmission37456
Brakes26585
Driver assistance18080
Body7957

Questions about the BMW X5 vs Volvo XC90

Which is more reliable, the BMW X5 or the Volvo XC90?

Between 2006 and 2025, the BMW X5 has 2 years to avoid and the Volvo XC90 2. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Volvo XC90 drew fewer complaints per model year (40 vs 131), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the BMW X5 or the Volvo XC90?

From 2006 to 2025, the BMW X5 was covered by 79 recalls and the Volvo XC90 by 30.

What years of the BMW X5 and Volvo XC90 should you avoid?

BMW X5: 2011 and 2012. Volvo XC90: 2016 and 2017.

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